Bygones

A private family-run museum, Bygones features Victorian and railway relics in exhibitions which will take you back in time.

What began as a carefully crafted Victorian street replica in May 1987, complete with authentic looking shops and models, has now grown into a veritable time-warp of displays and set-pieces in which you can actually walk around and get a feel for the age they depict. You could relive the heroism and horror of World War I in the multi-sensory Trench or experience the interior of an Anderson shelter.

Wander back in time and relive the nostalgia of over 20 life-size Victorian shops and shop windows filled with thousands of original items from candles to porcelain, dolls, dolls houses and Victorian dresses. Visit the Ironmongers, the Grocers, smell the Sweet Shop, the Apothecary and the Forge. Climb the stairs by the Pawnbrokers to the Victorian room settings including a Nursery, Kitchen, Parlour and Bathroom. Many with authentic smells and sound effects. Descend the stairs and enter the Victorian Pub.

Enter the tunnel to see the twenty-eight feet working model railway with its dramatic mountain backdrop. Here you can see railway pictures by George Heiron, brass nameplates from engines and other railwayana. The advent of the steam engine literally revolutionized Britian. It enabled miners to dig deeper and factories to work faster. Farms employed steam power and ships became independent of the wind. But the railway system, powered by steam, did more to change the lot of the average man.

When you’ve all had enough of adventure, you can wind down in Bygones’ excellent cafe before perusing the gift shop.

Bygones is open all year round from 10am to 5pm but is closed on Christmas Day.